Container end with protective bead

ABSTRACT

A container having a body and at least one open end with the container end secured to the body and closing the opening, wherein the container end includes a removable panel portion, the removal of which produces an inner edge in the container end defining an access opening through which the contents of the container may be removed and protective beads operatively associated with the container end and the removable panel portion for guarding the hazardous edges of said removable panel portion and said inner edge for allowing the removal of the contents of the container through the access opening by the consumer without injury from the edge of the container end or the removed panel portion.

United States Patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1973 Bartels 220/53 Fox et al. Dec. 24, 1974 [54] CONTAINER END WITH PROTECTIVE 3,754,678 8/1973 Fox et a] 220/54 BEAD 3,765,561 10/1973 Hekal et al. ,Q 220/54 [75] Invwtors: #5 51 32 .fi k i g gi fizz Primary ExaminerGeOrge T. Hall both of h S C Attorney, Agent, or Firm-C. Gordon McBride [73] Assignee: Sonoco Products Company, [57] ABSTRACT Hartsvlne A container having a body and at least one open end [22] Filed: May 3, 1973 with the container end secured to the body and closing the opening, wherein the container end includes a [21] Appl 356371 removable panel portion, the removal of which pro- Related US. Application Data duces an inner edge in the container end defining an [631' Continuatiomimpart of 162,379, July [4, access opening through which the contents of the con- 1971, p 3,754,678 tainer may be removed and protective beads operatively associated with the container end and the re- 52 U.S. C1 220/270,220/90.6 movable Panel portion for guarding the hazardous [51 Int. Cl .j. ...I..T.'...'. ii'ssd17/20 edgeS of said remevable panel Portion and said inner 58 Field of Search 220/53, 27, 54, 90.6, 48 edge for allowing the removal of the cements of the container through the access opening by the consumer [5 References Cited without injury from the edge of the container end or the removed panel portion.

4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures CONTAINER END WITH PROTECTIVE BEAD This is a Continuation-In-Part of Application Ser. No. 162,379, filed July 14, 1971, now US. Pat. No. 3,754,678 entitled CONTAINER END WITH PRO- TECTIVE BEAD.

This invention relates to a container for storing food and the like and more particularly to an improved container end of the easy open type for hermetically storing food or any desired contents.

Recent developments in the production of sealed containers have introduced the use of container ends fabricated from relatively thin gauge metal, particularly aluminum and alloys thereof, for the purpose of economy and ease in opening. While these container ends are easy to open with the conventional punch-type container openers, additionaldevelopments have provided container ends of this type with a removable panel portion which typically includes a score line formed around the outer periphery of the removable panel portion in the container end and a device for fracturing the container end along the score line for removal of the panel portion. However, the full panel E-Z open metal ends are opened by tearing the metal panel along the pre-scored line. Such tearing leaves a sharp edge on the panel that has been removed and the residual lip remaining on the can body, which upon removal of the contents of the container by the consumer and especially when removed by hand, oftentimes injures the consumer through contact with the remaining sharp edge or the edge of the removed panel portion may cause injury during opening. Thus it is seen these sharp edges are hazardous and can easily cut fingers or hands during the handling, opening or removal of the contents.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a container end eliminating the cutting hazard by shielding the raw and sharp metal edges during and after removal of the center panel portion.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a sealed container having a removable central panel portion in the container end, the removal of which produces an' inner edge in the container end defining an access-opening which is guarded so as to allow removal of the contents of the container by the consumer without injury from said inner edge produced in the container end and guarding the edge of the removed central panel portion to prevent injury from the sharp edge thereof also.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide a container end which protects against cuts being received from the sharp metal edges of th removed center panel of an E-Z open end or from the sharp inner residual lip remaining on the container after opening.

Yet another object of the instant invention is to provide protection against the hazards encountered on the removal of a central panel of an easy open container end, as well as protecting against injury from the portion remaining on the can body.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method of producing substantially hazard-free easy open container ends.

in accordance with the above objects, the container of the present invention comprises a container end for a container body which includes a central removable panel portion, the removal of which produces an access opening through which the contents of the container may be removed. A bead of plastic material is positioned on the end directly over and bonded on both sides of the score line on each side such that rupture and removal of the central panel portion results in rupture of. the plastic material directly over the score line and leaves a portion of the material on the raw edge of both the removable panel and the residual lip edge; thereby permitting the plastic material to function as an obstacle to any cutting action by the exposed sharp edges on both the residual lip and the panel portions. The container end is produced by sequential operation of a making press, a compounder, a converting press, a coating station, a reversing station, a second coating station, a heating station, and a sleeve packer.

Some of the objects of the invention have been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentray perspective view of a container incorporating a conventional easy open container end to which the instant invention applies;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container wherein the central removable panel portion of the container end has been removed; I

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of the method of producing the container ends;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view corresponding to the invention shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a method of producting the container ends; and

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of an alternative method of producing the container ends.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters are used to indicate like parts, there is illustrated in.FIGS. l and 3 a container 10 which comprises container end 12. It is to be noted that chuck wall 14 would normally include recess 17 against which a conventional sealing chuck could operate for seaming of container end 12 to container body 11.

End panel 15 includes a removable central panel portion 18 fonned by score line 21 disposed around the outer periphery thereof. Although score line 21 is shown as located near the periphery of end panel 15, it is to be understood that score line 21 may be of any planar configuration for removal of all or a portion of panel 18. A suitable pull or tear tab 22 is secured to removable central panel portion 18 for removing panel portion 18 by fracturing or tearing along score line 21. Such action produces inner edge 23 in container end 12 (FIGS. 2 and 4) to define an access opening in container end 12 through which the contents of the con tainer may be removed by the consumer.

As normally is the case, container end 12 of the present invention is constructed of a relatively thin gauge metal, such as aluminum or alloys thereof, and, thus, inner edge 23 produced upon removal of central panel portion 18 is sharp, irregular and is very likely to injure the consumer if not handled properly when removing the contents of container Similarly, removed central panel portion 18 has sharp, irregular edge 24 that is extremely hazardous to the consumer if not handled properly.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided protective bead or shield 25 for guarding inner edge 23 produced in container end 12 and'outer edge 24 of central panel portion 18 upon removal of central panel portion 18 from container end 12. More particularly, protective bead 25 is preferably formed from a plastic material, such as a hot melt adhesive which is a mixture of suitable thermoplastic resins and wax, but which could be any suitable plastic-like or rubber-like protective material. Bead 25 is operatively associated with container end 12 and adhesively attached to the exterior surface of container end 12 adjacent chuckradius 16 and chuck recess 17. Bead 25 extends radially inwardly of chuck wall 14 to at least slightly beyond score line 21 so as to guard the inner edge 23 produced in the container end 12 upon removal of central removable panel portion 18, as well as outer edge 24 of central panel portion 18, and prevent injury to a consumer removing the panel or contents from the container. In the event score line 21 is of a configuration and location other than the periphery of end panel 15, such for example as of a spiral configuration, bead 25 would be applied over score line 21 re gardless of the location.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, there is illustrated container 10 wherein central panel portion 18 has been removed. The relative relation of inner edge 23 produced in container end 12 and outer edge 24 on central panel portion 18 with head 25 of plastic material is to be particularly noted in the enlarged fragmentary sectional view, FIG. 4. Bead 25 extends inwardly of chuck wall 14 slightly past score line 21 and, therefore, past inner edge 23 and into the access opening adjacent the inside surface of container end 12 to serve as a protective shield for the consumer against contact with the sharp inner edge 23. Furthermore, bead 25 extends outwardly of removable central panel-portion 18 beyond outer edge 24 and serves as a protective guard for the consumer against contact with sharp outer edge 24.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, wherein container 110 is shown to have end 12 attached thereto with protective bead 125 on the top or outer portion which is a construction similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-4. Protective bead or shield 146 is applied to the bottom or interior side of end 112 over the score line 121. FIG. 7 shows the center panel portion 118 in a partially re' moved position with score line 121 having been sepadownwardly along edge 124 as it is torn from the residual lip. This causes a portion of the bead 125 to be con- 4 fined by the metal of the removed portion. The center panel metal becomes embedded in the lower bead and this provides the sharp edge 124 of the center panel with increased protection by trapping a portion of the bead and insuring the extension of a portion of bead 146 over edge 124. Therefore, the bead 146 provides enhanced protection to the center panel.

FIG. 8 shows av diagrammatic arrangement of the equipment utilized for manufacture of container ends 112. From the beginning to the position of sleeve packer 42 the method shown and described with regard to FIG. 5 is the same. However, container ends 112 must have additional process steps included in order to apply bead 126 to the bottom side of end 112. Therefore, at least two stations are inserted between the hot melt applicator 38 and sleever 42.."I'hese stations include a reversing station 150 and a coating station which includes preheater 136 and hot melt applicator 138. Thus it is seen that ends 112 pass through the normal steps described hereinabove with regard to end 12 to the point at which bead 25 has been applied. The ends are thenpassed through reversing station and turned upside-down to present the bottom side of end 112 in an upward direction. Ends 112 then pass preheater 136 and hot melt applicator 138 for application of beads 126. Subsequently the ends are conveyed to sleever 142.

It has been determined that the above described methods of applying the protective beads 25, 125 and 126 may be modified by elimination of the preheater step such that ends 12 and.112 pass from converting press 34 to hot melt applicator 38 to reversing station 150 and to applicator 138 whichapplies bead 126 and then to a heater station 152. In this manner the ends have the protective shield preapplied and are subsequently heated such that the hot melt flows into position and the proper bond is obtained. It has been found that a preferable method in this type of construction provides an enhanced end when a termperature of 450 to 500 F. has been utilized for a period of 4 to 6 seconds. A specific limitation on the heat and time is provided by a preferential method utilizing a temperature of 475 F. for a period of 5 seconds.

Protective beads 25, 125 and 146 comprise a coating of pliable material, such as a thermoplastic material, applied to container end 12 in such a manner that the coating extends from chuck wall 14, over score line 21 where the metal will be torn and onto central panel portion 18 which is to be removed.

It has been found that beads 25, 125 and 126 should preferably be a coating of thermoplastic material, commonly referred to "as a hot melt, which may be composed of combinations of the following materials: a plastic type resin such-asethylene vinyl acetate, polyethylene, or polypropylene; waxes such asparaffin and /or micro-crystalline; tackifying resins such as wood rosin, hydrocarbon, polyterpine, of synthetic plasticizers, extenders; fillers; colorants; antioxidants and preservatives. This hot melt material is so formulated that it adheres to the metal and when center panel 18 is removed, the hot melt material tears along score line 21 of removable central panel portion 18, leaving a protective shield or coating extending'over the metal edges on removed central panel 18 and on residual lip portion 26 which remains on container body 11. It is to be untive bead is hot melt material CHM 6380 manufactured by Sonoco Products Company, Hartsville, SC. 29550.

Container is generally constructed in accordance with various conventional techniques with a slight modification in preparation of container end 12 incorporating the present invention and briefly described hereinafter. Container body 11 is provided with a conventional flange 27 for cooperation with the suitably curled container end 12 which is prefabricated to include removable central panel portion 18. Prior to application of container end 12 and formation of the conventional folded seam 13, bead 25 of hot melt adhesive is applied to the outside wall of container end 12 adjacent rim or chuck wall 14.

It has been found that container end 12 should be prepared in a special manner for applying hot melt bead 25 in order to obtain optimum results. The conventionaltechnique of forming container ends is utilized at the initial stages of making press 30, compounder 32 and converting press 34, FIG. 5. The conventional technique of forming container end 12 would thus proceed with draw-forming container end 12, including the formation of the integral rivet, tab 22 and score line 21 through compounder 32 and converting press station 34. In the novel processing technique of the invention, container ends 12 are then conveyed to coating station 40 which includes preheaters 36 and hot melt applicator 38. The temperature of end 12 would be raised in 'preheater 36 to a temperature in the range of 175 to 225 with approximately 200 F. preferable. Container ends 12 are then passed to hot melt applicator 38 at which the plastic material forming bead 25 is applied at a temperature in the range of 300 to 375 F. or approximately 340 F. for CHM 6380 such that the hot melt material forms a bead adjacent chuck wall 14 that flows over score line 21 and onto center panel portion 18. After application of hot melt bead 25, container end 12 is conveyed to sleeve packer 42 for packaging into sleeve 44 which is handled converitionally prior to end 12 beind sealed to container body 11. It is to be observed that chuck recess 17 permits the sealing of container end 12 to body 11 without contact of the chuck with hot melt bead 25. This provision against contact of the chuck with head 25 insures a reasonable curing time to permit bead 25 to properly cure and obtain the desired tensile strength and tearing properties.

Thus, it is seen that proper positioning of beads 25, 125 and 146 in sufficient quantities permits the hot melt material to, flow inwardly of container body 11 and rim 14 slightly beyond score line 21. Thereafter,

the hot melt material provides a resilient protective shield for the inner edge 23 produced in container end 12 and outer edge 24 on central panel portion 18 upon removal of panel portion 18 as previously indicated.

It is to be understood that although beads 25, and 126 of hot melt material are preferably applied prior to application of container end 12 to container body 11, they could be applied after the sealing of end 12 to the container body. Bead 25 may be applied after completion of construction and the filling of container 10, especially in situations in which foodstuffs are being packaged and end 12 may have been preheated in the filling operation.

Thus, it is seen that the instant invention provides a container end wherein the sharp, hazardous edges of both the residual lip and the removed central panel portion of an easy open end for a container have been eliminated while permitting utilization of continued relatively simple production techniques. It is to be understood that the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings is representative only and all types of easy open" ends are contemplated as being within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, protection is provided on all end configurations including the removable panel portion, as well as the portion which remains on the can body, to thereby protect the consumer not only during opening of the container, but during removal of the goods from within the container. The protective bead is attractive and may be colored or otherwise modified for aesthetic appeal.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:

1. A container end comprising an end panel; a removable portion in said end panel; said removable portion defined by a score line; pull means attached to said removable portion for removal thereof by tearing along said score line; and protective means over said score line on each side thereof for protecting the sharp edges of the removed portion and the remaining residual lip of said end panel, whereby a force applied to said pull means effects a tearing action along said score line and through said protective means such'that a protective shield extends over the edge of said removable portion and said residual lip.

2. The container end of claim wherein said protective means comprises a plastic material having greater adhesion for said endpanel than the tear strength of said material. I

3. The container end of claim 2 wherein said removable portion comprises a full panel central portion; said end panel having a chuck wall extending about the periphery thereof; said score line located slightly inwardly of said chuck wall; and said plastic material extending over said score line.

4. The container end of claim 2 wherein said plastic material is a hot melt comprised of plastic type resin; wax; and tackifying resin. 

1. A container end comprising an end panel; a removable portion in said end panel; said removable Portion defined by a score line; pull means attached to said removable portion for removal thereof by tearing along said score line; and protective means over said score line on each side thereof for protecting the sharp edges of the removed portion and the remaining residual lip of said end panel, whereby a force applied to said pull means effects a tearing action along said score line and through said protective means such that a protective shield extends over the edge of said removable portion and said residual lip.
 2. The container end of claim 1 wherein said protective means comprises a plastic material having greater adhesion for said end panel than the tear strength of said material.
 3. The container end of claim 2 wherein said removable portion comprises a full panel central portion; said end panel having a chuck wall extending about the periphery thereof; said score line located slightly inwardly of said chuck wall; and said plastic material extending over said score line.
 4. The container end of claim 2 wherein said plastic material is a hot melt comprised of plastic type resin; wax; and tackifying resin. 